Nanny Piggins Books in Order

How to Read the Nanny Piggins Series

The Nanny Piggins series, written by Australian author and comedy writer R.A. Spratt, is a delightful collection of middle-grade books that blend absurd comedy with heartwarming family dynamics. The series follows Sarah Piggins, a glamorous ex-circus flying pig who becomes the nanny to the three neglected Green children—Derrick, Samantha, and Michael. Under her care, the children experience wild adventures, zero rules, and an unlimited supply of chocolate and cake.

Because the books are written in an episodic, sitcom-style format, they are incredibly accessible. However, to get the absolute most out of the running jokes, character introductions (like Nanny Piggins's brother Boris the dancing bear), and recurring battles against the children's stingy father, Mr. Green, following a structured order is highly recommended.

There are two primary ways to approach the series: Publication Order (which mirrors how the series was originally released between 2009 and 2024) and Chronological Order (which places the newer prequel first).

The Recommended Reading Path

For most readers, the best starting point is the original book, The Adventures of Nanny Piggins (2009). Starting here allows you to meet the Green family just as Nanny Piggins does, introducing her circus background and her immediately chaotic parenting style. While Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story (2024) takes place chronologically before the first book, it was written with the assumption that readers are already familiar with Nanny Piggins's eccentric personality. Reading the publication order first is the most satisfying way to experience the character's development.

1. Publication Order of Nanny Piggins Books

If you want to read the books in the order R.A. Spratt wrote them, follow this list. This sequence tracks the escalation of Nanny Piggins's wild exploits, from hiding runway circus animals to launching into space and running for public office.

• The Adventures of Nanny Piggins (2009) – Introduces Sarah Piggins as she is hired by the stingy Mr. Green to look after his three children.
• Nanny Piggins and the Wicked Plan (2009) – The children and their nanny conspire to stop Mr. Green's terrible scheme to marry off and fire their beloved nanny.
• Nanny Piggins and the Runaway Lion (2010) – Hilarity ensues when Nanny Piggins hides a runaway circus lion, and we meet her brother Boris the dancing bear.
• Nanny Piggins and the Accidental Blast Off (2011) – A chaotic adventure that quite literally launches the household into orbit.
• Nanny Piggins and the Rival Ringmaster (2011) – Sarah faces off against her former circus ringmaster in a battle of wits.
• Nanny Piggins and the Pursuit of Justice (2011) – Nanny Piggins takes on the legal system, school authorities, and anything else standing between her and cake.
• Nanny Piggins and the Daring Rescue (2012) – Sarah coordinates a daring rescue mission when things go sideways.
• Nanny Piggins and the Race to Power (2013) – The final main-line novel where Nanny Piggins enters the world of politics.
• The Nanny Piggins Guide to Conquering Christmas (2013) – A festive companion book filled with survival tips, holiday recipes, and seasonal stories.
• Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story (2024) – A prequel novel that travels back to Sarah's early life, explaining how she became a circus star and escaped her fate.

2. Chronological Reading Order

For readers who want to follow Sarah Piggins's life story from the very beginning, this chronological list places the 2024 prequel at the start of the adventure.

1. Nanny Piggins and the Origin Story (Prequel)
2. The Adventures of Nanny Piggins
3. Nanny Piggins and the Wicked Plan
4. Nanny Piggins and the Runaway Lion
5. Nanny Piggins and the Accidental Blast Off
6. Nanny Piggins and the Rival Ringmaster
7. Nanny Piggins and the Pursuit of Justice
8. Nanny Piggins and the Daring Rescue
9. Nanny Piggins and the Race to Power
10. The Nanny Piggins Guide to Conquering Christmas (Can be read at any point after Book 3)

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into the sugar-fueled world of Nanny Piggins, here are a few helpful details to keep in mind:

• Standalone Appeal: Because the chapters are highly episodic, children can easily jump into almost any book and enjoy the stories. However, the first three books establish key relationships, such as the introduction of Boris the Bear, which are crucial for understanding later stories.
• The Companion Book: The Nanny Piggins Guide to Conquering Christmas is not a standard novel. It is a mix of interactive guide, survival strategies, and short stories. It is best read after you are already a fan of the series.
• The US vs. Australian Editions: The books were originally published in Australia with spelling and regional vocabulary (like "rubbish bins" instead of trash cans). U.S. editions features artwork by the acclaimed illustrator Dan Santat, which beautifully captures the visual comedy of the series.
• The Podcast Connection: Author R.A. Spratt hosts the incredibly popular podcast Bedtime Stories with R.A. Spratt, where she reads many of her stories aloud. If your child struggles with reading, listening to the podcast alongside the books is a fantastic entry point.